Eric Berry could be final puzzle piece for Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are 8-1 despite their defensive struggles. Now they seem to be getting close to full strength.

The Kansas City Chiefs have arguably the best offense in the NFL. They average the most points per game, and Patrick Mahomes seems to be the leader in the MVP clubhouse.

Unfortunately, even though they have a great offense they have equally as bad of a defense. Still, they have their sights set on a Super Bowl, and having at least an average defense would go a long way in their quest for a ring.

Chiefs fans received good news when the team activated Daniel Sorensen from injured reserve, but along with that came some potentially even better news.

The team is hopeful that All-Pro safety Eric Berry can return in the next few weeks as well. Berry hasn’t played all season with a heel injury known as haglund’s deformity. The team has described him as literally day-to-day all season, and fans are tired of waiting.

Most of the Chiefs struggles have come trying to cover the middle of the field, more specifically covering backs and tight ends. The last game that Berry played was opening day of the 2017 season, and he effectively neutralized Rob Gronkowski.

Another area where the Berry helps the defense is in run support. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton likes to use his safeties in the box, but right now Ron Parker is his box safety, and it has not worked at all. The Chiefs are 25th in rush defense and are only one of two teams in the NFL to give up five yards per carry.

Berry is essentially a Swiss army knife. He can pretty much do everything do everything on the field, and that’s what this defense has been missing for past season and a half. He can cover up other people’s mistakes and just makes plays that not a lot of guys in the NFL can make.

The Chiefs play the Arizona Cardinals at home on Sunday, and then have a showdown with the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football in Mexico City before their Week 12 bye. After the bye week we’ll get a real idea at how close he really is to returning.

With their pass rush humming and Justin Houston about to return from a hamstring injury, the defense is coming along. If Berry were to return after the bye week that would make the Chiefs serious Super Bowl contenders if they weren’t already.